With rare hand embroidery techniques like parsi gara, nakshabandi and aari, taking centre stage at Craft Council of India’s (CCI) textile show, the biannual event is in its 15th year. Bela Khaleeli, joint treasurer of the organisation, says, “This time we’ve brought in some new designers with really rare and extinct weaves and embroidery techniques.” Besides Mumbai-based Smriti Morarka, with her floral and geometric motifs reflecting the Mughal era, here is our pick of some designers who are visiting for the first time.

Revival story
Ashdeen Lilaowala — an NID alumnus who was voted the hottest design talent last year by Elle — has had the likes of Mariah Carey and Beyonce Knowles wearing his drapes. Presenting bandhini, hand block-printed chanderis and maheshwari saris featuring the traditional parsi gara embroidery, the Mumbai-based designer says, “Our saris have a classic appeal that can be worn by your mother and grandmother.” Priced from Rs.5,000. Details: ashdeen.com

Colour natural
Pracheen — a textile dyeing and printing family hailing from Kutch, Gujarat — will offer silk saris, dupattas, stoles and fabrics dyed in vegetable dyes like sappan wood, henna, and pomegranate. Sarfraz Khatri, belonging to the fifth generation of the family, says, “We do hand-block printing with designs ranging from the sanganeri butis to Mughal flowers, and also abstract kalamkari and paisleys.” Priced from Rs.8,000. Details: 09820288978

Jewel box
To accessorise, you can invest in Falguni Mehta’s gold jadau jewellery with uncut diamonds and rare Basra pearls inspired by the temples of the South, Mughal designs and intricate latticework of Rajasthan. “There are also going to be a lot of other designers you shouldn’t miss like Abdul Vahab who combines ajrakh with bandhini, saris by Mura Collective featuring the art of shibori, antique saris by Vivek Narang, contemporary tunics by Jayanti Reddy and jamdani technique revived in uppada saris by Ghanshyam Sarode,” Khaleeli signs off. Priced from Rs.1,000. At My Fortune hotel. Details: 24341456